The increase was largely due to two major
carriers, Regence BlueShield and United
Healthcare, entering the market for the first time. Regence
and United will offer a combined 52 plans through
Healthplanfinder.

About 5,000 Kitsap residents were enrolled in qualified health
plans purchased through Healthplanfinder in 2015. Another 42,000
were enrolled in the state’s expanded Medicaid program. (See
a detailed enrollment report here.)

Statewide, 143 individual plans will be offered through the
health exchange for 2016, and 67 will be available outside the
exchange. Rates increased an average of 3.9 percent from 2015.

Local navigators are available to help consumers wade through
the enrollment process, or determine whether they’re eligible for
free health care. See the
Kitsap Public Health District website for more information.

The deadline is
approaching fast for Washington residents who want to buy private
plans through the state health insurance marketplace.

Sunday, Feb. 15, is the final day to enroll in qualified health
plans through Healthplanfinder. Customers
who select and pay for their plans by 10 p.m. that day will have
their insurance activate March 1.